Let THESEUS be! let JASON pass! let PARIS also 'scape, That brought destruction unto Troy, all through the Grecian rape. And unto me a TROILUS be! If not, you may compare With any of these persons that above expressèd are. But if I cannot please your mind, for wants that rest in me: Wed whom you list! I am content your refuse for to be. It shall suffice me, simple soul, of thee to be forsaken: And it may chance, although not yet, you wish, you had me taken. But rather than you should have cause to wish this, through your Wife: I wish to her, ere you her have, no more but loss of life. For she that shall so happy be, of thee to be elect; I wish her virtues to be such, she need not be suspect! I rather wish her HELEN's face, than one of HELEN's trade! With chasteness of PENELOPE, the which did never fade. A LUCRECE for her constancy, and THISBE for her truth! If such thou have, then PETO be: not PARIS, that were ruth! Perchance, ye will think this thing rare in one woman to find. Save HELEN's beauty, all the rest the gods have me assigned. These words I do not speak, thinking from thy new Love to turn thee! Thou knowest by proof what I deserve! I need not to inform thee. But let that pass! Would God I had CASSANDRA's gift me lent! Then either thy ill chance, or mine, my foresight might prevent. But all in vain for this I seek. Wishes may not attain it! Therefore may hap to me what shall; and I cannot refrain it. Wherefore I pray, GOD be my guide, and also thee defend! No worser than I wish myself, until thy life shall end! Which life, I pray GOD, may again King NESTOR's life renew! And after that, your soul may rest amongst the heavenly crew! Thereto I wish King XERXES's wealth, or else King CRŒSUS's gold! With as much rest and quietness as man may have on mold! And when you shall this letter have let it be kept in store! For she that sent the same, hath sworn as yet to send no more. And now, "Farewell!" For why? At large my mind is here exprest: The which you may perceive, if that you do peruse the rest. FINIS. IS. W. _The Admonition by the Author to all young Gentlewomen, and to all other Maids, being in love._ YE Virgins, that from CUPID's tents do bear away the foil! Whose hearts as yet with raging love most painfully do boil: To you, I speak! For you be they that good advice do lack; O if I could good counsel give, my tongue should not be slack! But such as I can give, I will here in a few words express: Which if you do observe, it will some of your care redress.